Old is the New New

It’s been a while since I pulled the baby in the trailer, so I can only imagine how bad it’s going to suck the first time I get around to doing that again – especially if I’m waiting for warmer weather.

It’s not like he’s going to weigh less the next time I pull him. I know I’ll certainly be weaker since I haven’t been training with the little secret weapon.

At least I have a proper bike now for towing weight – thanks to my man who built me a new bike for Christmas. I no longer have to attach that 25-pound contraption, with my 28-pound baby to my heavy, full-suspension bike with its humongous tires. I had been forbidden to strap it to the carbon road bike for fear of snapping the 16-pound frame. I haven’t been on a proper road ride in years – three to be exact. I don’t even remember what it’s like to ride that sweet little bike.

Ben and I had already decided to give each other the Go Pro helmet cam for Christmas, so I hadn’t expected a present, and I got really nervous when he said that he had something for me that he couldn’t wrap…but I was SO excited when he rolled out a sweet little hardtail. Even better was that he put it together from all recycled parts found around our basement, garage and bike shop. The frame was new – about six years ago – and never built. I was planning to make it my next singlespeed. But this is better.

I used to be embarrassed at the number of new and barely used bikes and parts going to waste until I started scoping out the garages of other riders. I don’t even want to throw away the stuff that’s totally clapped out. I’ve taken apart sprockets, cleaned them up and turned them into magnetic photo frames. I just know I’ll find something to do with all of those bent spokes.

Friends of mine have a room in their house that they never allow guests to see. It’s probably the largest room in the house, as is our “bike room”, and it was filled with old bikes of every size (they had three kids) as well as tools, gear and wheels. I stood there staring for ten minutes and could not fully comprehend what was in there. I’m sure they knew exactly what was in there. There were poles across the room where wheels and parts were strung above the cacophony of metal. He was particularly proud of an old lead wheel stand. It was broken, but he excitedly dropped it into my lap to show me how easily it could be welded.

I guess I’ve impressed upon everyone in my family my passion for the phrase, “Waste not, want not.” What can I say? I was born to parents from the Depression. So thanks to the Santa of Recycling for bringing me a new bike! More on the helmet cam next week…